GamingPickz
By what fits on your drive · ranked

Best games under 1 GB: 25 ranked

Compiled by the GamingPickz team · Last updated 19 October 2026 · Free to read, nothing here is paid for

Tiny installs that download in minutes on any connection. Every game here installs in under 1 GB on PC, so it fits a tight drive and downloads quickly. Ranked by the GamingPickz Score, so the best-received sit at the top rather than the most or least demanding. Sizes are the base game; large add-ons are separate.

The games under 1 GB on a map

Compare the whole catalogue

The same 25 games, plotted rather than listed. The two axes below are the ones the ranking is built from, so a game sitting high and right is a game the formula placed near the top. Change either axis to see the field a different way. Where we hold a publisher wordmark, the game is drawn as its mark rather than a dot.

25 games have both

831006092Players →Popularity →

Axes are fitted to these 25 games rather than the full 0 to 100 scale, because a filtered list shares a narrow band and would otherwise sit in one corner. End values are marked. A point on the left edge is the lowest of thesegames, not a low score.

Players. The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.

Popularity. A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.

  • Mobile
  • Multi-platform
  • PC

Every point links to that game's entry. The value map and the reception map are fixed views of the same data.

How positions are decided

No paid placement, no favouritism, live third-party data
  • Placed by the published method, not by us. Every coordinate is computed from the axis definitions and weights printed on this site. Nobody moves a point. See the axes.
  • Nothing here is paid for. No sponsored placements, no promoted slots, no arrangement of any kind affects a position. If that ever changes it will be labelled and sit outside the ranking.
  • No favouritism, including our own. The 16 games we have written full reviews of are scored by exactly the same formula as the other 1,510, from the same third-party inputs, and they land where it puts them. Our own opinion of a game does not enter its coordinates.
  • A position is not an endorsement. It says how a game was received and what it costs, not that we recommend it. Where we do recommend something, it carries a written review with a name on it.
  • Fetched from live third-party data. Player sentiment from Steam, critic aggregates as published on store pages, prices checked hourly, attention from Wikipedia. Each figure carries its source and the date it was read, and we do not adjust any of them.

The short version

  • Top pick: People Playground, GamingPickz Score 8.9/10 from 317,401 player reviews.
  • 15 score 8.5 or above out of 327 ranked games under 1 GB.
  • Price range free to $39.99, median $4.99, with 85 free to play.
  • 100 are Steam Deck Verified by Valve's own testing.
  • 17 declare six or more accessibility features. Listed per game below.

At a glance

The top 12 side by side. Full entries below.

Top ranked games under 1 GB
#GameInstall sizeScorePlayersPrice
1People Playground0.34 GB8.998% (317,401)$9.99
2Stardew Valley0.49 GB8.898% (1,035,189)$14.99
3R.E.P.O.1 GB8.896% (420,823)$9.99
4Undertale0.2 GB8.896% (338,731)$9.99
5Slay the Spire1 GB8.897% (217,947)$24.99
6Dead Cells0.49 GB8.797% (183,007)$24.99
7Slime Rancher1 GB8.698% (156,780)$19.99
8DELTARUNE1 GB8.698% (133,535)$24.99
9Helltaker0.34 GB8.698% (128,069)Free
10Brotato0.2 GB8.596% (118,244)$4.99
11Ravenfield1 GB8.597% (79,971)$17.99
12Katana ZERO0.2 GB8.598% (76,036)$14.99

25 best games under 1 GB, ranked

Ordered by GamingPickz Score. Every figure links back to the source that produced it.

Sort by
  1. 1People Playground logo

    People Playground

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.9GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    People Playground at a glance
    Released2019Studiomestiez
    Player sentiment98% positive of 317,401CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$9.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size0.34 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 317,401 reviews, giving 8.9. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 317,401 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 0.34 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  2. 2Stardew Valley logo

    Stardew Valley

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Stardew Valley at a glance
    Released2016StudioConcernedApe LLC
    Player sentiment98% positive of 1,035,189Critics89/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.49 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 1,035,189 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 1,035,189 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.49 GB.

    iOSAndroidiPadAndroid TabletPlayStation VitaPC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  3. 3R.E.P.O. logo

    R.E.P.O.

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.8GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    R.E.P.O. at a glance
    Released2025Studiosemiwork
    Player sentiment96% positive of 420,823CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$9.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size1 GBAccessibility4 declared features

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 420,823 reviews, giving 8.8. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 420,823 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  4. 4Undertale logo

    Undertale

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Undertale at a glance
    Released2015Studio8-4
    Player sentiment96% positive of 338,731Critics92/100
    Price$9.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size0.2 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 338,731 reviews, then blends with the 92 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 338,731 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 0.2 GB.

    PlayStation VitaPCPlayStation 4Xbox OneXbox Series X and Series SNintendo Switch

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  5. 5Slay the Spire logo

    Slay the Spire

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Slay the Spire at a glance
    Released2019StudioMega Crit
    Player sentiment97% positive of 217,947Critics89/100
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size1 GBAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 217,947 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    What the data supports
    • 97% positive across 217,947 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  6. 6Dead Cells logo

    Dead Cells

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.7GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Dead Cells at a glance
    Released2018StudioMotion Twin
    Player sentiment97% positive of 183,007Critics89/100
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.49 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 183,007 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.7.

    What the data supports
    • 97% positive across 183,007 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.49 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  7. 7Slime Rancher logo

    Slime Rancher

    Best for: Sinking a long time into one world

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Slime Rancher at a glance
    Released2017StudioMonomi Park
    Player sentiment98% positive of 156,780Critics81/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 156,780 reviews, then blends with the 81 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 156,780 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 1 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Players rate it well above critics, 98 against 81. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  8. 8DELTARUNE logo

    DELTARUNE

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.6GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    DELTARUNE at a glance
    Released2025Studiotobyfox
    Player sentiment98% positive of 133,535CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 133,535 reviews, giving 8.6. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 133,535 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  9. 9Helltaker logo

    Helltaker

    Best for: Trying the genre without spending anything

    8.6GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Helltaker at a glance
    Released2020Studiovanripper
    Player sentiment98% positive of 128,069CriticsNo aggregate
    PriceFreeSteam Deckplayable
    Install size0.34 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 128,069 reviews, giving 8.6. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 128,069 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Free to download, so trying it costs only time.
    • Small install at 0.34 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  10. 10Brotato logo

    Brotato

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Brotato at a glance
    Released2023StudioBlobfish
    Player sentiment96% positive of 118,244CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$4.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.2 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 118,244 reviews, giving 8.5. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 118,244 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.2 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  11. 11Ravenfield logo

    Ravenfield

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Ravenfield at a glance
    Released2017StudioSteelRaven7
    Player sentiment97% positive of 79,971CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$17.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 97% shrinks to 96.9 on 79,971 reviews, giving 8.5. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  12. 12Katana ZERO logo

    Katana ZERO

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.5GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Katana ZERO at a glance
    Released2019StudioAskiisoft
    Player sentiment98% positive of 76,036Critics83/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.2 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 97.9 on 76,036 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 8.5.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.2 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Players rate it well above critics, 98 against 83. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  13. 13Pizza Tower logo

    Pizza Tower

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Pizza Tower at a glance
    Released2023StudioTour De Pizza
    Player sentiment98% positive of 72,574CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$19.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.29 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 97.9 on 72,574 reviews, giving 8.5. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.29 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  14. 14The Henry Stickmin Collection logo

    The Henry Stickmin Collection

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    The Henry Stickmin Collection at a glance
    Released2020StudioPuffballsUnited
    Player sentiment99% positive of 59,357CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$5.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size1 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 99% shrinks to 98.9 on 59,357 reviews, giving 8.5. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  15. 15HoloCure - Save the Fans! logo

    HoloCure - Save the Fans!

    Best for: Trying the genre without spending anything

    8.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    HoloCure - Save the Fans! at a glance
    Released2023StudioKayAnimate
    Player sentiment99% positive of 40,697CriticsNo aggregate
    PriceFreeSteam Deckplayable
    Install size0.24 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 99% shrinks to 98.9 on 40,697 reviews, giving 8.5. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • Free to download, so trying it costs only time.
    • Small install at 0.24 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  16. 16Balatro logo

    Balatro

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Balatro at a glance
    Released2024StudioLocalThunk
    Player sentiment98% positive of 197,690Critics90/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.15 GBAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 197,690 reviews, then blends with the 90 critic aggregate, giving 8.4.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 197,690 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.15 GB.

    PlayStation 5Xbox Series X and Series SSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  17. 17Buckshot Roulette logo

    Buckshot Roulette

    Best for: Playing with other people

    8.4GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Buckshot Roulette at a glance
    Released2024StudioMike Klubnika
    Player sentiment95% positive of 125,085CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$1.49Steam Deckunsupported
    Install size0.49 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 125,085 reviews, giving 8.4. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 95% positive across 125,085 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 0.49 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Valve rates it Unsupported on the Steam Deck.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  18. 18My Summer Car logo

    My Summer Car

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.4GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    My Summer Car at a glance
    Released2025StudioAmistech Games
    Player sentiment95% positive of 117,158CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$14.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 117,158 reviews, giving 8.4. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 95% positive across 117,158 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 1 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  19. 19Cookie Clicker logo

    Cookie Clicker

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.4GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Cookie Clicker at a glance
    Released2021StudioOrteil
    Player sentiment96% positive of 92,880CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$4.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size0.34 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 96% shrinks to 95.9 on 92,880 reviews, giving 8.4. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • Small install at 0.34 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  20. 20Papers, Please logo

    Papers, Please

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Papers, Please at a glance
    Released2013StudioLucas Pope
    Player sentiment97% positive of 80,337Critics85/100
    Price$9.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.1 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 96.9 on 80,337 reviews, then blends with the 85 critic aggregate, giving 8.4.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.1 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    iOSiPadPlayStation VitaPCSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  21. 21Touhou Mystia's Izakaya logo

    Touhou Mystia's Izakaya

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.4GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Touhou Mystia's Izakaya at a glance
    Released2021Studio二色幽紫蝶
    Player sentiment99% positive of 32,698CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$4.79Steam Deckverified
    Install size1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 99% shrinks to 98.8 on 32,698 reviews, giving 8.4. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  22. 22Dwarf Fortress logo

    Dwarf Fortress

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Dwarf Fortress at a glance
    Released2022StudioBay 12 Games
    Player sentiment95% positive of 31,446Critics93/100
    Price$29.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size0.49 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 95% shrinks to 94.9 on 31,446 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 8.4.

    What the data supports
    • Small install at 0.49 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  23. 23Rhythm Doctor logo

    Rhythm Doctor

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Rhythm Doctor at a glance
    Released2025Studio7th Beat Games
    Player sentiment98% positive of 26,941Critics89/100
    Price$15.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size1 GBAccessibility4 declared features

    Raw 98% shrinks to 97.8 on 26,941 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.4.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  24. 24Baba Is You logo

    Baba Is You

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Baba Is You at a glance
    Released2019StudioHempuli Oy
    Player sentiment98% positive of 24,536Critics87/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.2 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 97.8 on 24,536 reviews, then blends with the 87 critic aggregate, giving 8.4.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 0.2 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  25. 25Geometry Dash logo

    Geometry Dash

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.3GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Geometry Dash at a glance
    Released2013StudioRobTop Games
    Player sentiment93% positive of 637,714CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$4.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size0.1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 93% shrinks to 93.0 on 637,714 reviews, giving 8.3. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 93% positive across 637,714 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 0.1 GB.

    iOSAndroidiPadAndroid TabletPCSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

How to choose between these

25 entries, six things that separate them

The ranking answers "which is best received". It cannot answer "which is best for you", because that depends on things no formula knows. Here is what actually separates these 25 games under 1 GB, in the order worth thinking about it.

  1. Check the sample size before the score

    A score is only as good as the evidence under it. 20 of these have more than 50,000 player reviews, which makes their number very hard to move.

  2. Look at where critics and players disagree

    The widest gap here is Slime Rancher, where players sit above critics by 17 points. A gap that size usually means the game changed after launch, or that it does something critics undervalue. It is worth reading why before deciding which number you trust. The disagreement map plots this across the catalogue.

  3. Decide what you are actually willing to spend

    The median here is $14.99, and the cheapest paid entry is Buckshot Roulette at $1.49. Prices move constantly, so a game a place or two down the list is often the better buy this week. Filter by price below rather than assuming the top pick is the right purchase.

  4. Match it to the hardware you own

    13 of these are Steam Deck Verified by Valve's own testing, and install sizes vary by more than an order of magnitude. If you are choosing for a handheld or a drive that is nearly full, that narrows the field faster than any score.

  5. Check it supports how you want to play

    Solo, with a friend online, or two people on one sofa are different requirements, and a well-reviewed game that does not support yours is the wrong game. The filters below answer this directly.

  6. Look for the things a score hides

    2 declare six or more accessibility features, and 0 carry in-game purchases. Neither shows up in a review score, and both change the experience substantially. Each entry lists its own.

Choose one if…

Tick what matters to you. This filters the ranking above rather than reordering it, so the order you see is still the order the formula produced, minus the games that do not fit. Every filter reads a field from the game's own store listing.

Nothing selected, so all 25 games under 1 GB are shown below. Pick one or more above to narrow it.

The best games under 1 GB for a specific need

The ranking answers "which is best overall", which is rarely the actual question. These are the answers to the narrower ones, computed from the same scores, so a single pick is named for each.

What is the best cheap games under 1 GB?
People Playground, top of 21.
What is the best co-op games under 1 GB?
Stardew Valley, top of 5.
What is the best games under 1 GB for local co-op?
Stardew Valley, top of 4.
What is the best games under 1 GB for the Steam Deck?
Stardew Valley, top of 13.
What is the best games under 1 GB to play with a controller?
Stardew Valley, top of 11.
What is the best games under 1 GB with the most reviews?
People Playground, top of 20.
What is the best cheap co-op games under 1 GB?
Stardew Valley, top of 5.
What is the best co-op games under 1 GB for local co-op?
Stardew Valley, top of 4.
What is the best single-player offline games under 1 GB?
People Playground, top of 24.
What is the best cheap games under 1 GB for the Steam Deck?
Stardew Valley, top of 10.
What is the best Steam Deck co-op games under 1 GB?
Stardew Valley, top of 4.
What is the best controller-friendly games under 1 GB for local co-op?
Stardew Valley, top of 4.
What is the best highly rated cheap games under 1 GB?
People Playground, top of 17.

Why trust this list

Most "best games" lists are either one person's taste presented as fact, or an affiliate feed with the highest commission at the top. This is neither. It is a ranking of 327 games under 1 GB computed from two third-party signals we did not generate, using a formula printed below.

Our team has played and reviewed games for over twenty years, somewhere around 3,000 titles across every generation since the PS1. That experience is what lets us tell you which of these numbers are worth trusting, but it is not what set the order. The formula did, and that is the right way round: a list ordered by one person's memory you have to take on trust, and this one you can check line by line.

The order comes out of the grid. Every game in the catalogue is placed on measured axes, each a number read from a named source rather than an opinion: player sentiment and its sample size, the critic aggregate, review volume, Wikipedia language editions, price, install size, Steam Deck rating, accessibility features. A ranked list is that grid collapsed to one dimension. The map on this page plots these same 25 games on two of those axes, so you can check the ranking against where each game actually sits.

None of the entries on this page carry a full written review from us yet. The score reflects how other people received the game. Where we do publish a review, it is marked and linked.

How the ranking works

This ranking is a projection of the same axes the grid plots, not a second scoring system. A game cannot be high on the grid and low here for a reason nobody can point at, because both read the same values. Every ranked game gets a GamingPickz Score out of 10, a weighted blend of the axes below, read directly from the code that computes the ranking so the published formula cannot drift from the applied one.

Score weights
ComponentWeightWhat it is
Players52%The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.
Critics23%Metacritic and OpenCritic aggregate, normalised to 0 to 100.
Popularity20%A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.
Reader likes5%How many GamingPickz readers tapped the heart on the game, log-scaled to 0 to 100. This is the only signal here that comes from our own readers rather than a third party, so it carries a deliberately small weight and is a snapshot taken at the last build, not a live figure. A per-browser flag stops the same person liking twice; it is a popularity reaction, not a verified poll.

Shrinkage is the part that matters most. Without it a game with nine reviews at 100 percent outranks a classic with 278,000 at 98. Player sentiment is pulled toward the catalogue average of 84 using a 400-review prior, in proportion to how thin the evidence is. Games with fewer than 50 reviews are excluded outright. No paid placement, no sponsored slots dressed as editorial, no hidden weighting.

games under 1 GB by the numbers

The figures below describe all 327 entries on this page together, not the top pick. They are recomputed on every build, most recently on 19 October 2026, from 10,822,441 player reviews.

$9.99Median price85 free · $0.49 to $39.99
90%Median player sentiment6 pts above the catalogue average
69 ptsSpread, best to worst168 at 90% or better · 39 under 70%
2017Median release year48 from the last five years · oldest 1979
46Discounted right nowaveraging 59% off list
100Steam Deck Verified1 GB average install

What the pricing looks like

229 of the 327 carry a listed US price, with a median of $9.99 and a mean of $10.94. The mean sitting above the median tells you the field is pulled up by a few expensive outliers. The cheapest is Drift Streets Japan at $0.49, the most expensive Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove at $39.99. 85 are free to download. 47 carry in-game purchases on top of whatever they cost. Prices are read hourly from the US Steam storefront and move constantly.

How much this field agrees with itself

Player sentiment spans 69 points across these 327 entries. That is a wide band, which means the position of an entry here genuinely matters rather than splitting hairs. 82 carry a critic aggregate, averaging 78 out of 100. Players rate this field 13 points higher than critics on average, which is worth knowing before you weigh either number. See where the two diverge.

Who makes them, and what they overlap with

The studios appearing most often here are Scott Cawthon (7), Square (5), Fabio Ferrara (4), Back To Basics Gaming (3) and Crackshell (3). The genres these entries also sit in are simulation (117), strategy (117), rpg (88), horror (66), survival (55) and platformer (54), which is a fair map of what you are actually choosing between.

Which way attention is moving

We track Wikipedia pageviews over 28 days for 52 of these. 24 are gaining attention and 14 are losing it, with the rest flat. Attention is not quality, and we do not feed it into the ranking. The full monitor shows the movements across the catalogue.

The other 302 games under 1 GB

The 25 above are the top of the ranking. These 302 are the rest: games that ranked below the cut, and games with too few reviews or no store listing to be ranked at all.

Also catalogued

302 more games under 1 GB, not yet reviewed

None of these carry a review yet. The rest are catalogue records: title, year, studio and platforms, sourced from Wikidata. They are not indexed by search engines, because a record is not a review.

277 not shown

Common questions

What is the best games under 1 GB game?

People Playground ranks first, with a GamingPickz Score of 8.9 out of 10 drawn from 317,401 player reviews. That is a statement about how it was received, not a claim that it is the one you personally will enjoy most.

How is this ranking calculated?

The GamingPickz Score is 52% player sentiment adjusted for sample size, 23% the critic aggregate published on the game store page, 20% popularity, from review volume and Wikipedia language editions, 5% popularity, from review volume and Wikipedia language editions. Player sentiment is pulled toward the catalogue average of 83.7% using a 400-review prior, so a game with a handful of reviews cannot outrank one with hundreds of thousands. Nothing on this page is paid for and no placement can be bought.

How many games under 1 GB are ranked here?

327 of them qualify. A game needs at least 50 player reviews to be scored, which excludes titles with too little evidence to place fairly.

Why is a game I love missing?

Three likely reasons. It has fewer than 50 player reviews, so it is excluded rather than ranked on noise. It has no Steam listing at all, which is normal for console and Nintendo exclusives. Or it is not in the catalogue yet.

Do you get paid for these placements?

No. Positions are computed from the formula above and nothing else. The site carries advertising, and advertisers can neither see nor influence this page. A position is not an endorsement, it is a measurement of reception.

How current is this?

Recomputed on every build from source data read on a stated date. This page was last rebuilt on 19 October 2026. Player review counts move daily, so positions in the middle of the list shift more than those at the top or bottom.

Why do install sizes change?

A game's download grows with updates and shrinks when a publisher recompresses it, so the figure here is what Steam listed when we last checked, not a permanent number. It is also the base game: large story or texture packs are separate.

What is the best cheap games under 1 GB?

People Playground is the best cheap games under 1 GB, ranking 8.9 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 21 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best co-op games under 1 GB?

Stardew Valley is the best co-op games under 1 GB, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 5 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best games under 1 GB for local co-op?

Stardew Valley is the best games under 1 GB for local co-op, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 4 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best games under 1 GB for the Steam Deck?

Stardew Valley is the best games under 1 GB for the Steam Deck, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 13 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best games under 1 GB to play with a controller?

Stardew Valley is the best games under 1 GB to play with a controller, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 11 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best games under 1 GB with the most reviews?

People Playground is the best games under 1 GB with the most reviews, ranking 8.9 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 20 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best cheap co-op games under 1 GB?

Stardew Valley is the best cheap co-op games under 1 GB, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 5 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best co-op games under 1 GB for local co-op?

Stardew Valley is the best co-op games under 1 GB for local co-op, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 4 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best single-player offline games under 1 GB?

People Playground is the best single-player offline games under 1 GB, ranking 8.9 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 24 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best cheap games under 1 GB for the Steam Deck?

Stardew Valley is the best cheap games under 1 GB for the Steam Deck, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 10 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best Steam Deck co-op games under 1 GB?

Stardew Valley is the best Steam Deck co-op games under 1 GB, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 4 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best controller-friendly games under 1 GB for local co-op?

Stardew Valley is the best controller-friendly games under 1 GB for local co-op, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 4 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

What is the best highly rated cheap games under 1 GB?

People Playground is the best highly rated cheap games under 1 GB, ranking 8.9 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 17 of the 25 games under 1 GB qualify.

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